Tokyo Go Newsletter

Every master player has his own peculiar habits and idiosyncrasies
that appear while playing major tournament games. Here are some of the
weird ones.

Hosai Fujisawa is a large man who appears to be sloppy until you see
him play. However at the board he still likes to relax and sits happily
with his shirt-tails hanging out. His thinking is so deep that he keeps
on meditating, even talking to himself, while visiting the toilet.

Sakata is more nervous, preferring to give up his lunch so that he
can sit through the break studying the game. When concentrating he
unconsciously takes off his socks and sits barefooted. He gets into a
squatting position and during the last seconds of byo-yomi exclaims
maitta (Ive had it) as he must play his yose stone, as if invoking
some religious ritual.

Rin Kaiho is still young so he doesnt display so many peculiarities
and we have to be content with his pulling his knee up under his chin
when under pressure.

It is said that Go Seigen prays to the ancient Chinese gods with
every game whether he loses or not. However, how true this is I dont
know.

The most famous player for his tournament style is Kitani Minoru. Of
course he has now retired due to a weak heart but, in the old days, he
would bring seven articles to aid his game all wrapped up in a carrying
cloth (furoshiki). He needed 1) a pair of walnuts, which old Japanese
click together in the left hand for relaxation; 2) a pot of honey, which
he could lick for nourishment; 3) a nyoibo, a Buddhist priests staff to
hit his shoulders with and to hold in order to calm his mind; 4)
eyedrops; 5) special plasters and liquids for dabbing on his back and
shoulders to cool his muscles; 6) tissue paper which he often shredded
to pieces while playing; and 7) a special cup for his tea. Everything
was arrayed about him in a circle before he could devote himself to the
game.

Why dont you try some of these techniques in your own tournament
games? However, I dont guarantee that theyll help you play like
Kitani!

This article is from the
British Go Journal
Issue 14
which is one of a series of back issues now available on the web.